Process for producing saturated aliphatic nitriles



United States Patent 0 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A process for producing saturated aliphatic nitriles by subjecting a gas containing ethylene or propylene and hydrogen cyanide to a catalytic addition reaction at a temperature of 200-600 C., in the presence of a catalyst consisting of palladium, rhodium or salts thereof and phosphoric acid, ammonium or aluminum rhodonate or aluminum chloride.

This invention relates to a process for producing saturated aliphatic nitriles in high yields and at high selectivity by passing a gas containing a lower olefinic hydrocarbon and hydrogen cyanide over a catalyst to effect catalytic addition reaction at an elevated temperature U according to the equation n Zni n ZrH-I 1 As processes for producing saturated aliphatic nitriles rom lower olefinic hydrocarbons and hydrogen cyanide, there are known a process carried out in the liquid phase under a high pressure using cobalt carbonyl as a catalyst (J. Am. Chem. Soc, 76, 5364); a process carried out in the gas phase using active alumina or the like as a catalyst (United States Patent 2,455,995); a process conducted in the gas phase at an elevated temperature of from 475 to 700 C. using a noble metal of Group VIII as a catalyst (US. Patent 3,057, 906); and a process effected using nickel or cobalt metal or a cyanide thereof as a catalyst (British Patent 687,014).

Among the above processes, the process using cobalt carbonyl as a catalyst suffers from such drawback that the catalyst is required in large amount and is deactivated in each single operation, and the regeneration of the catalyst is difficult and expensive. The process using active alumina or the like as a catalyst is low in selectivity with respect to the reaction shown by Equation 1 as well as in catalyst activity and hence is not applicable to the reaction of ethylene with hydrogen cyanide. According to the process using a noble metal of Group VIII as a catalyst, acetonitrile is by-produced in large quantities and the selectivityand yield of the product in accordance with the reaction shown by the Equation 1 are markedly low. In the process using nickel or cobalt metal or a cyanide thereof as a catalyst, the catalyst is quickly lowered in activity by the lapse of time and cannot be regenerated with case.

As a result of various studies carried out in order to attain a commercially excellent process for the production of saturated aliphatic nitriles, the present inventors have found that saturated aliphatic nitriles can be obtained in high yields and at high selectivity by subjecting a lower olefinic hydrocarbon and hydrogen cyanide to a gas phase catalytic addition reaction at an elevated temperature using a catalyst prepared from (i) palladium or rhodium metal or a compound thereof, (ii) phosphoric acid and (iii), if necessary, ammonium rhodonate, alu- 3,407,223 Patented Oct. 22, 1958 minum rhodonate or aluminum chloride. The terms ammonium rhodonate" and aluminum rhodonate" are respectively synonomous with ammonium thiocyanate" and aluminum thiocyanate and are not to be mistakenly confused with or considered as rhodium compounds, notwithstanding the similarity therebetween with respect to the spelling thereof. The inventors have also found that when the above reaction is conducted in the presence of a catalyst prepared from (i) palladium or rhodium metal or a compound thereof and (ii) ammonium rhodanate, aluminum rhodanate or aluminum chloride, there are formed saturated aliphatic nitriles in high yields. and at high selectivity, and that when the same reaction as above is effected in the presence of a catalyst prepared from palladium or rhodium metal or a compound thereof, phosphoric acid and ammonium rhodanate, aluminum rhodanate or aluminum chloride, it is possible to obtain saturated aliphatic nitriles in higher yields.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a process for producing saturated aliphatic nitriles by subjecting a gas containing a lower olefinic hydrocarbon and hydrogen cyanide to a catalytic addition reaction at an elevated temperature, in which the reaction is effected in the presence of a catalyst prepared from at least one member selected from the group consisting of palladium, rhodium and compounds of palladium and rhodium; phosphoric acid; arid/or at least one member selected from the group consisting of ammonium rhodanate, aluminum rhodanate and aluminum chloride.

Table 1 shows a comparison in catalyst activity between the case where the catalyst is prepared by incorporation of phosphoric acid and the case where no phosphoric acid is incorporated. As seen in Table I, the incorporation of phosphoric acid greatly increases the catalyst activity.

Table 2 shows a comparison in catalyst activity between the case where the catalyst is prepared by incorporation of ammonium rhodanate, aluminum rhodanate or aluminum chloride and the case where no such compound is incorporated.

Table 3 indicates a comparison in catalyst activity between the case where the catalyst is prepared by incorporation of phosphoric acid and ammonium rhodanate, aluminum rhodanate or aluminum chloride.

In the present invention the compounds of palladium and rhodium include halides such as chlorides and bromides, carboxylates such as oxalates and acetates, hydroxides, oxides and cyanide.

The phosphoric acid to be used in the process of the present invention includes phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid and phosphoric anhydride. The amount of phosphoric acid to be incorporated is preferably within the range of from 5 to 200% based on the weight of palladium or rhodium or on the total weight of the two.

The amount of ammonium rhodanate, aluminum'rhoda nate, aluminum chloride or a mixture thereof is preferably within the range of 6 to 30.000% based on the weight of palladium or rhodium or on the total weight of the two.

The catalyst of the present invention may be prepared according to any of a number of conventional processes such as immersion process. mixing process and the like. In this case, the use of a carrier is not always required but is preferable. Usable carriers include active carbon. alumina, silica alumina, titania, silica boria, alumina boria and the like. Active carbon and alumina are particularly preferred because they provide high activity catalysts. Alumina is particularly preferable when ammonium rhodanate, aluminum rhodanate or aluminum chloride is to be incorporated. The use of alumina is most preferred in terms of catalyst life. A preferable form of alumina is active alumina.

The catalyst thus prepared may be used as such, but is desirably used after treatment with a reducing agent. In this case, the reducing agent to be used includes hydrogen, aliphatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and Formalin. The temperature at which the reducing agent treatment is to be conducted is preferably from 30 to 500 C.

Table 4 shows a comparison in catalyst activity between the case where the catalyst is used as such and the case where it is used after treatment with a reducing agent.

Among the lower olefinic hydrocarbons which may be treated according to the process of the present invention are ethylene and propylene, and the main products are propionitrile from ethylene, and isobutyronitrile and normal-butyronitrile from propylene.

In practicing the present invention, the presence of an inert gas is not necessarily required but is not objectionable. The inert gas whicb, may be present includes nitrogen, methane, ethane, propane and carbon dioxide.

In the present invention, the molar ratio of the lower olefinic hydrocarbon and hydrogen cyanide may be at or about a stoichiometric ratio, or one of them may be used in excess. Generally, however, a molar ratio within the range of from 20 to 1/20 is adopted.

The temperature adopted in the present invention is 200 to 600 C., preferably 200 to 450 C.

The process of the present invention is carried out at atmospheric pressure but may also be effected under pressure.

Further, the reaction may be conducted according to any type of fixed bed, movable bed or fluidized bed.

In practicing the process of the present invention, there is observed a decrease in catalyst actvity with the lapse of time. In this case, the feeding of the starting gas is discontinued and the catalyst is heated while introducing oxygen or a gas containing molecular oxygen such as air, whereby the catalyst activity is easily restored. This regeneration operation is preferably effected before the activity has decreased to 30% of the maximum activity, and the regeneration temperature is preferably from 200 to 600' C., more preferably between the saturated aliphatic nitrile synthesis temperature and 600 C.

The following examples illustrate in detail the present invention but are not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof:

Example 1 were charged in a Pyrex glass U-shaped tube of 16 mm.

outer diameter which had been placed in a niter bath maintained at 350 C., and hydrogen was passed into the catalyst for 3 hours to reduce the rhodium chloride to rhodium. Subsequently, a mixed gas comprising ethylene,

hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen at a volume ratio of 2: l :l was passed at a flow rate of 74 ml./min. 80% of the fed hydrogen cyanide was converted, and 93% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

Example 2 4.1 g. of rhodium chloride were dissOlVed in dilute hydrochloric acid. To the solution, 2.7 g. of pyrophosphoric acid were added and further 100 ml. of active carbon were added, and the mixture was vaporized to dryness on a hot water bath to obtain a catalyst. 15 ml. of this catalyst were treated in a hydrogen current at 300 C. for 3 hours, and then a mixed gas comprising ethylene, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen at a volume ratio of 3: l :2 was passed at a flow rate of 45 ml./min. 90% of the fed hydrogen cyanide was converted, and 97% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

Example 3 2.l g. of rhodium chloride were supported on N ml. of active carbon, and the mixture was maintained in Examples in which there were used catalysts prepared from the chloride, bromide, iodide, cyanide, hydroxide and acetate of rhodium and phosphoric acids are shown in Table 5.

Example 5 0.4 g. of rhodium chloride was dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid. To the solution, 1.5 g. of ammonium rhodanate were added and further 20 ml. of granular active alumina was added, and the mixture was heated to dryness on a hot water bath to obtain a catalyst. 2 ml. of this catalyst were charged in a Pyrex glass U- shaped tube of 9 mm. outer diameter which had been placed in a niter bath maintained at 350 C. After introducing only ethylene for one hour, a mixed gas compris-' ing ethylene, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen at a volume ratio of 5:2:5 was passed at a flow rate of 74 ml./min. 92% of the fed hydrogen cyanide was converted, and 90% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

Example 6 Examples in which there were used catalysts prepared from the cyanide. bromide, acetate and oxalate of rhodium and ammonium rhodanate and, in some cases, in combination with phosphoric acid are shown in Table 6.

Example 7 0.7 g. of palladium chloride was dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid. To the solution, 1.5 ml. of 85%- phosphoric acid and 2 g. of aluminum chloride (hydrated) were added, and then 20 ml. of active alumina were further added, and the mixture was vaporized to dryness with thorough stirring to obtain a catalyst. 2 ml. of this catalyst were filled in a Pyrex glass made U-shaped tube of 9 mm. outer diameter which had been placed in a niter bath maintained at 350 C., and was treated in a hydrogen current for one hour. Subsequently, a mixed gas comprising ethylene, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen at a volume ratio of 3:2:5 wits passed at u flow rate of 100 ml./min. of the fed hydrogen cyanide was converted, and Sl% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

- Example 8 5 g. of palladium chloride su ported on 30 ml. of silica alumina were immersed in 30 ml. of Formalin for 3 hours, and was then filtered and dried. The dried substance was immersed in an aqueous solution containing 36 g. of aluminum rhodnnatc and the solutionwns vaporized to dryness to obtain a catalyst. 5 ml. of this catalyst were filled in a reaction tube maintained at 350 C. and a mixed gas comprising ethylene. hydrogen cyanide and ethane at a volume ratio of 3:1 :7 was fed at a flow rate of 77 mL/min. 49.5% of the fed hydrogen cyanide was converted, and of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

Example 9 Examples in which there were used ctllulysls prepared from palladium iodide, palladium cyanide, palladium oxnlute, rhodium chloride, aluminum chloride and aluminum rhodnnatc are shown in Table 7.

l xumplc l0 lropylcnc Wm passed at 400" lot 3 lmtlls mm o ml. of a catalyst. The catalyst had been prepared from 0.9 g. of rhodium oxalate, 0.7 g. of pyrophosphoric acid,

' 5 g. of aluminum rhodanate and 20 ml. of alumina boria.

Example 11 0.8 g, of palladium chloride and 0.1 g. of rhodium chloride were dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid. To the solution, 0.7 ml. of 85% phosphoric acid was added and further 2.6 g. of aluminum chloride (hydrated) and 1.7 g. of aluminum rhodanate were added. The mixture was further incorporated with 20 ml. of active alumina and was then vaporized to dryness with thorough stirring to obtain a catalyst. 1 ml. of this catalyst was filled in a reaction tube maintained at 300 C. Into the catalyst, hydrogen was passed for 3 hours and then a mixed gas comprising propylene, hydrogen cyanide and propane at a volume ratio of 422:5 was introduced at a flow rate of 88 ml./min. 87% of the introduced hydrogen cyanide was converted, and 61% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became isobutyronitrile and 30% became normal butyronitrile.

Example 12 A catalyst was prepared from 1 g. of rhodium chloride, g. of aluminum rhodanate, 7.6 g. of ammonium rhodanate and 100 ml. of active alumina. 3 ml. of the catalyst was treated in a hydrogen current at 350 C. for 1 hour. Thereafter, a mixed gas comprising ethylene and hydrogen cyanide was-introduced into the catalyst at 425 C. at a flow rate of 180 ml./ min. 94% of the introduced hydrogen-cyanide was converted, and 96% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

Example 13 Examples in which there werev used catalysts prepared from the iodide, bromide and chloride of palladium and phosphoric acids are shown in Table 8.

Example 14 A catalyst was prepared from 4.5 g. of palladium acetate, 1.3 g. of phosphoric acid and 100 ml. of active alumina. 40 ml. of the catalyst were maintained at 350 C. Into the catalyst, a mixed gas comprising propylene, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen at a volume ratio of 2:1:10 was introduced at a flow rate of 75 ml./min. 81% of the introduced hydrogen cyanide was converted, and 47.1% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became isobutyronitrile and 8.7% became normal butyronitrile.

Example 15 To an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution containing 21.3 g. of palladium chloride, an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added until the pH became 8-9, and the resulting palladium hydroxide precipitate was separated by filtration. To the precipitate, 18.3 cc. of an aqueous solution of 30% phosphoric acid was added, and the resulting liquid was incorporated with 100 ml. of titania in the form of a gel. and the mixture was shaped and dried to obtain a catalyst. 15 cc. of this catalystv To an aqueous hydrogen cyanide solution, 2.6 g. of palladium cyanide and 5.6 m1. of 85% phosphoric acid were added. The mixture was incorporated with ml. of granular active alumina and was vaporized to dryness to obtain a catalyst. 20 ml. of this catalyst were packed in a reaction tube maintained at 300 C. Into the catalyst, a mixed gas comprising ethylene, hydrogen cyanide and ethane at a volume ratio of 1:1:6 was introduced at a flow rate of 216 ml./min. 64.1% of the introduced hydrogen cyanide was converted, and 94.0% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

Example 17 4.6 g. of palladium nitrate were dissolved in nitric acid. To the solution, 3.2 ml. of 85% phosphoric acid and 7.6 g. of ammonium rhodanate were added. The resulting mixture was incorporated with ml. of active alumina and was vaporized to dryness on a hot water bath to obtain a catalyst. 3 ml. of this catalyst were charged in a Pyrex glass U-shaped tube of 10 mm. outer diameter which had been placed in a niter bath maintained at 350 C. After treating the catalyst with hydrogen for 3 hours, a mixed gas comprising ethylene, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen at a volume ratio of 5:2:5 was introduced into the catalyst at a flow rate of 72 ml./min. 89% of the introduced hydrogen cyanide was converted, and 85% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

Example 18 Examples in which there .were used catalysts prepared from the chloride, iodide and cyanide of palladium and phosphoric acids and then treated in a hydrogen current at 300 C. for 1 hour are shown in Table 9.

Example 19 3.5 g. of palladium chloride were dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid. To the solution, 14.0 g. of ammonium rhodanate were added, and the resulting mixture was incorporated with 150 ml. of active alumina and was then vaporized to dryness on a hot water bath to obtain a catalyst. 3 ml. of this catalyst were charged in a U- shaped reaction tube which had been placed in a niter bath maintained at 300 C., and was treated with hydrogen for 2 hours. Into the catalyst, a mixed gas comprising ethylene and hydrogen cyanide at a volume ratio of 2:1 was introduced at a flow rate of 45 ml./ min. 51% of the introduced hydrogen cyanide was converted, and 85% of the converted hydrogen cyanide became propionitrile.

I Example 20 10.7 g. of palladium chloride were dissolved in hydrochloric acid. To the solution, an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added dropwise to adjust the pH thereof to 8-9, and the resulting palladium hydroxide precipitate was separated by filtration. To the precipitate, 5.2 ml. of

85% phosphoric acid and 12.4 g. of ammonium rhodanatev Example 21 Experiments were conducted for long periods, while inserting regeneration treatment, using a palladium cyanide phosphoric acid active alumina catalyst, is rhodium chloride ammonium rhodanate active alumina catalyst and a palladium chloride rhodium chloride phosphoric acid aluminum chloride aluminum rhodanate active alumina catalyst. The results are shown in Table 10.

TABLE l.-EFFECTS OF PIIOSPHOBIC ACID IN svng r r zgl sgr PROPIONITRILE FROM ETHYLENE AND HYDROGEN Catalyst Inlet gas volume ratio Propionitrile lelactlvity Amount 01 hos- Temp. 8 ace Cyanic acid based on Palladium or phoric acid ased 0.) ve ocity Hydrogen conversion hydrogen rhodium on um or (hrr Ethylene cyani e Nitrogen (percent) cyanide rh um (weight (percent) percent) 270 I80 4 2 ll 84 270 180 4 2 5 96 95 0 300 218 5 2 5 I0 90 100 300 218 5 2 5 84 93 Catalysts were prepared in the some manners as in Example 1 using active alumina as a carrier.

TABLE 2.EFFEC'IS OF AMMONIUM RHODANATE, ALUMINUM RHODANA'IE AND ALUMINUM CHLORIDE IN SYNTHESIS OF PROPIONITRILE FROM ETHYLENE AND HYDROGEN CYANIDE Catalyst Inlet gas volume ratio Prolpionitrlle Hydrogen as activity Amount 0! Temp. Space cyani e based on Palladium additive based 0.) ve ocity Hydrogen conversion hydrogen or rhodium Additive on palladium (hrs- Ethylene cyani e Nitrogen (percent) cyanide v or rhodium (percent) (percent) I. m m .02 as .s 2 1 2 *2 r o urn 1' na 0.- 3 87 Al -cl1ioride.- 500 300 1,800 a 1 2 11 90 Aluminum rhodanatc..- 600 300 1,800 3 l '2 88 91 o 300 180 I a 1 2 11 as Rhodi Ammonium rhodanate-. 380 300 l, 800 3 l 2 79 97 ".Aluminum chloride..... 500 300 1,soo a 1 r so 92 Aluminum rhodanate- 600 300 l, 800 3 1 z 91 9B Catalysts were prepared in the same manners as in Example 1 using active alumina as a carrier.

TABLE 3.EFFECTS OF PHOSPHORIC ACID AND AMMONIUM HHODANA'IE 1N SYNTHESIS OF PROPIONI'IRILE FROM I ETHYLENE AND HYDROGEN CYANIDE Catalyst Inlet gas volume ratio Propionitriie, Amount 01 Amount oi Space Hydrogen selectivity phosphoric ammonium Temp. vc ocity cyanide based on Palladium acid used rhodanate C.) (hrr Ethylene Hydrogen Nitrogen conversion hydrogen or rhodium on palladium based on cyani a (percent) cyanide (weight percent) P ll i m (percent) (weight percent) 0 200 826 I, 800 6 2 6 62 82 10 0 325 l, 800 5 1 2 5 43 7B 10 50) 325 l, 800 5 2 ii 84 86 Catalysts were prepared in the same manners as in Example 1 using active alumina as a carrier.

TABLE WEE-CT OF REDUCING AGENT TREATMENT Catalyst: Palladium chloride-pyrophosphoric acid-active IN s YN'IHESIB OF PBOPIONITBILE FROM ETHYLENE alumina, AND HYDROGEN CYANIDE Temp: C-

Propionitriic 881w- Space velocity: 218 hr.- t 11 one snide tivit based on aggi? i on (pimnt) hymgen cyanide Starting matenal composition: Ethylcnmhydrogen cy- (mm) anide:nitrogen=5:2:5 by volume. 84 no Reducing agent treatment conditions: In hydrogen our- 28 rent at 300 C. for 3 hours.

TABLE 6 Rh dlum com und Ph horic acid Carrier R d i e. 0 D 089 Reducing agent meat, imp. Kind Amount Kind Amount Kind Amount a d ti (g.) (ml.)

Rh dl mchl ride at Pyro hos horic acid. 2.7 Active carbon... 100 lihgdigm bro nide. 5.9 Phosgho c anlr dride... l. l Silica alumine. 100 Carbon monoxide 300 C., 3 hrs. Rh dium iodide 7. 0 Phosphoric aci 0.3 Berta. 100 ...do Rhodium cyanide. 3. 7 Fires horic anhydrldc... 1. 8 Active alumina.-. 100 Rhodium acetate..." 6.3 & 4. 0 Active carbon"... 100 ,Do 6.3 Phos horic acid 0.9 do 100 Ethyiene 250 0,, 3 hrs, Rhodium hydroxide.. a. o a. 0 Active alumina.-. 100 Propylene 250 0., 3 hrs.

Starting material, volume ratio Reaction 8 ace Hydro en tens/ ve ocity cyani e Saturated aliphatic nitriie selectivity based on Oleiin Hydro en Inert gas (hr? conversion hy rogen cyanide (percent) cyani e (percent) 1 300 180 38 Iropionitrilc, 94. 2 800 350 17 lropionitrllc, 97. 2 350 350 42 i'ropicnitrile, 85. 1 250 420 32 lsobutyronitrile, Normal butyronitrilc, 20. z 300 180 M isoiiutyronltrllc, Normal butyronltriic, l7. Ethylene, 3 l .550 1x0 70 i'ropionitriic, 93. Propylene, 2. l 420 8B lsobutyronitriio, til; Normal butyronitrilo, 28.

TABLE 9 Carrier Starting material lropio- Palladium compound Phosphoric acid Amount volume ratio Reac- Space Hydro en nitrile oi ammotion velooyan de selectivnium rho- Hydrotoms. city converity based Kind Amount Kind Amount danete (g.) Kind Amount Ethygen N itro- (hesion on hydro- (g.) (g.) (mi.) lene cyanide gen (percent) gen cyanid (percent) Palladium 3. 5 Phosphoric 2. 3. 8 Active 100 3 2 300 2, 250 48 84 chloride anhydride. car

Palladium 7. 2 Pheeghoric 2. 2 7.6 Active 160 4 l 3 350 3,060 70 64 iodide. ac alumina l'aliarlillm l. 0 .do. 0. 3 3. 8 Active [00 3 l 2 350 3.310 00 81 cyanide. carbon.

'lAliLE iii-(i) Ito-action results after Starting material, volume ratio Space initiation lteriucing agent Reaction veioc- Catalyst and treatment temp. ity liydro en Nitrile selectivconditions t...) Olefin Hydro an inert gas (hrr cyani e ity based on oyanl a conversion hydrogen cyanide (percent) (percent) Palladium cganlde (0.5 g.). phos- 300 Ethylene l Ethane. 6..... 548 04 Proplonltrile, o4,

phoric acl (1.8 g.), active alumina ml.)'

Rhodium chloride (0.4 g.), ammo- Etllylene: 350 0., 350 Ethylene, 5.-.. 2 Nitrogen, 5.... 2, 2.50 02 lropionltrile, 90.

nium rhodanate (1.5 g.), active 1 hr. alumina (2) Palladium chlori e (0.7 g.), rho- Hydrogen: 300 0., 300 Propylene, 4. 2 Propane, 5.. 5, $0 87 Butyronitriles: dium chloride (0.01 g.), phosphoric 3 hrs. 180- 01; Noracid (1.0 aluminum chloride mai-, 30.

(4.1 g.), urninurn rhodanate (1.7 g.), active alumina (20 ml.).

TABLE 10(2) Reaction results after elapse of said time Reaction results alter regeneration treatment Lowered reaction results a??? Hydr en Nitrile selec- Conditions oiilrst regeneration liydrogen Nltrile selec- Hydrogen (hln) cyeni e tivity based treatment cyanide tivityllased Elapse cyanide Nltllic selocconversion on hydrogen conversion on hydrogen tilllc conversion tivity (percent) cyanide (percent) cyanide (in) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) a 40 05 Oxygen: 200' C., 4 hrs 61 93 10 38 00 8 86 93 Oxygen (1)+nitrogen (6) +cnrbon 98 in it! 88 95 dioxide (8): 400 C., 2 hrs. ls 62 oz Air:300C.,2hrs 00 ot ll 07 ce use 31 1so-. =Normai.

TABLE 10-(3) Reaction results alter Reaction results alter treatment Treating conditions of ntll time treatment oi nth time Second treatment conditions Hydrogen Nltrile Hydrogen N itrile cyanide selectivity '1 Conditions cyanide selectivity conversion (percent) conversion (percent) (percent) (percent) 74 9o o ,2 75 or as 0o 40 ,l ea 93 90 61 7 Air:a0o'c,1llr 92 02 =30 29 lso-. NOIBIBI.

In Table 10, reaction results after initiation and after olefirlic hydrocarbon is propylene and isobutyronitrilc treatment are the results obtained at 0.5 hour after the and normal butyronitrilc are produced. feeding of starting material, and the reactions and regcn- 4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the lower eration conditions from the second to nth time are the olefinic hydrocarbon and the hydrogen cyanide are pressame as in the second treatment. on! in a molar ratio of from 20:1 to 1:20.

What is claimed is: 5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the phos- 1. A process for producing saturated aliphatlc nitrilcs phoric acid is selected from the group consisting of phoswhich comprises subjecting a gas containing a lower olcphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid and phosphoric anhyfinic hydrocarbon sclcctcd from the group consisting of dride and is used in an amount of 5 to 200% by weight ethylene and propylene and hydrogen cyanide to a catbased on the amount of palladium and/or rhodium. alytic addition reaction at a temperature of 200600 C. 6. A process according to claim 1 wherein said at least in the presence of a catalyst consisting of (a): at least one member of the group consisting of ammonium rho one member selected from the group consistlng of palladanate, aluminum rhodanatc and aluminum chloride is diurn, rhodium, the oxides, cyanidcs, halides, hydroxides, used in an amount of 6 to 30,000% by weight based on acetates and oxalatcs of palladium and rhodium; and the amount of palladium and/or rhodium. (b): at least one compound selected from the group con- 7. A process according to claim 1 comprising treating sisting of phosphoric acid, ammonium rhodanatc, alumithe catalyst with a reducing agent selected from the num rhodanate and aluminum chloride. group consisting of hydrogen, an aliphatic hydrocarbon, 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the lower carbon monoxide, and Formnlin at a temperature of from nlefinic hydrocarbon is ethylene and propionitrilc is pro- 30 to 500 C. duocd. 8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the catalyst 3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the lower is supported on a carrier selected from the group con- 13 Sisling of active carbon, alumina, silica alumina, titania, silica, boria and alumina boria.

9. A process according to claim 1 wherein the temperature is from 200 to 450 C.

10. A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is effected in the presence of an inert gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, methane, ethane, propane and carbon dioxide.

11. A process according to claim 1 wherein the re action is effected under the conditions of a fixed bed, a 10 movable bed or a fluidized bed.

12. A process according to claim 1 comprising re- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,057,906 10/1962 Fierce et al. 260-4653 3,278,575 10/1966 Davis et al. 260-4653 3,278,576 10/1966 Davis 260-4653 JOSEPH P. BRUST, Primary Examiner. 

